Domestic woes continue as Naft slip up at Siah Jamegan
AFC – MASHAD, AFC Champions League 2015 quarter-finalists Naft Tehran remained without a win in the new Persian Gulf Pro League season as Ali Mansourian’s continental hopefuls went down 1-0 to promoted Siah Jamegan in Thursday’s Round 3 meeting in Mashad.
Having started the campaign with back-to-back draws after coming from behind to tie 1-1 with Saba Qom last week having been held to a goalless draw with fellow ACL 2015 participants Tractorsazi Tabriz in their league opener, Naft were hoping to rediscover their winning touch against last season’s Azadegan League champions.
However a solitary 33rd minute strike from Hossein Zamehran was enough for the three points to go to Siah Jamegan, who had Montenegro international defender sent off as the match at the Samen Stadium moved into time added on at the end of the second half.
The defeat sees Naft sit 13th in the 16-team table with just two points from a possible nine, with Iran’s remaining continental club representatives taking on Malavan on Wednesday in their last domestic fixture before hosting Al Ahli of the UAE the first leg of their ACL quarter-final on August 26.